A Spring Thanksgiving

Kingdoms in Conflict

What would Thanksgiving be like if we celebrated it in the Spring? How would that change the holiday? First, it would change the food that we eat from the robust flavors of Fall to the delicate flavors of Spring. Second, it would change the direction of the meal. Thanksgiving in the Fall looks back in gratitude. But if we celebrated in Spring, we would have to look forward in anticipation. The focus of the Jewish holiday of the first fruits was looking forward. In the book of Leviticus, the people of Israel were commanded to keep this holiday. There we read,

When you come into the land that I give you and reap its harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest, and he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, so that you may be accepted. On the day after the Sabbath, the priest shall wave it. (Leviticus 23:10–11 ESV)

Everyone was invited to take part and in faith, enjoy a taste of what was to be in the coming year. In our passage for this Sunday, we have a band of prophets who have lived through a famine but are finally ready to sit down to their first springtime thanksgiving. But they soon realize that instead of abundance there is a meager offering. And what we will see is that to receive the feast of the first fruits every Christian must receive it in faith. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and meditate upon 2 Kings 4:42-44, Leviticus 23:10-11, John 6:11, Romans 8:23, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, and this article about seeing Jesus in the Old Testament Feasts. 

As we gather to worship our loving Father this Lord’s day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “Tell Out, My Soul, the Greatness of the Lord”, the Acclamation of Praise “Spirit of the Living God”, and the Hymn of Response “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.” Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives so that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him! 

Sermon Information 

Text: 2 Kings 4:42-44 

Title: A Spring Thanksgiving 

Outline: 

1. Every Christian Must Not Fear the Meager Offering
2. Every Christian Must Trust in the Gracious Promise
3. Every Christian Must Hope in the First Fruits

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